Lena broom
Cytisus 'Lena'
Lena broom (Cytisus 'Lena') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Bicolor red-and-yellow blooms. Compact, well-behaved alternative to invasive Scotch broom species.
low to medium water3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wideXeric / water-wisePlant Select®Deer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Cytisus 'Lena'
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Lena'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~5 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- sandy, loam, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Plant Select®
- Yes, Colorado's Plant Select® program
- Bloom color
- yellow, red
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Don't over-water, wet feet are fatal.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Lena broom good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Lena broom is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Lena broom get?
- It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 3–5 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Lena broom?
- Space Lena broom about 5 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Lena broom hardy on the Front Range?
- Lena broom is hardy in USDA 5–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is at its cold edge here. Site it in a warm microclimate and protect young plants.
- How much water does Lena broom need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Lena broom grow?
- Lena broom is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Lena broom native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Lena broom deer-resistant?
- Lena broom is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Lena broom a Plant Select® winner?
- Yes. Lena broom is in Plant Select®, the plant-recommendation program run by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens to highlight plants that thrive in the region.
